Tall Mallow

Malva sylvestris

According to legend, the Cretan Epimenides slept for fifty years in a cave on Mount Psiloritis and when he woke up, did not recognize the world. He survived eating mallow and bulbs.

Since then, mallow has its role in various initiation ceremonies.

The Pythagoreans considered it sacred because the flowers are always turned towards the sky, while Lamblichus, recommends to avoid it since it is the "first messenger of the sympathy of heavens to Gaia."

First mentioned by Hesiod in the seventh century BC, while Pythagoras wrote for that herb that helps the mind and leaves the spirit free.

Hippocrates claimed that "ceases Tash pains" and combat with mallow swelling and inflammation, recommended the decoction against various gynecological problems brewing pessaries which are used to facilitate childbirth and to alleviate pain.

Difilos from Sifnos, wrote that mallow helps in cases of irritation of the kidneys and bladder, is softening the trachea is expectorant and laxative medication while recommending the decoction for diseases of the digestive and urinary tract.

The folk medicine considers it as one of the most effective herbs against constipation and the throat inflammation.

Pliny said that if you eat a handful mallow per day "no illness will find you". In Byzantium and Rome (mention Cicero and Horace), was cultivated as an edible vegetable and refers to medicate the 18th and 19th century in combination with, Agnus, thistle, althaea, sage.

Charlemagne took care of cultivated mallow in all imperial gardens.

In the villages of southern France they add tender tops and the leaves in boiled and baked potatoes, in Crete, they cook soots stewed with goat or snails and with mallow leaves, they make dolmades, In Tinos and Mykonos fry with eggs, in Pindos they call the fruit "bread" and eat it raw.

Mallow always grows close to residential areas and if you ever encounter in the wilderness it means that once a house was there.

The girls on the islands, make rings and bracelets with mallow sprigs to welcome the spring, while there is always the garlands of Mayday.

• Mallow is beneficial for diseases of the kidneys, liver, wounds and inflammation, and it is believed to treat epilepsy.

• International studies have reported that the consumption of two to three cups of mallow infusion daily combined with warm compresses chest evening has visible results in emphysema and in cases of dyspnea.

• Its infusion can be used externally against gingivitis, skin irritations, in sprains and bruises, and the for relief of hemorrhoids, as a foot bath to relax tired feet, softens calluses, relieves swollen feet especially if the inflammation from fracture.

• The compress of warm infusion of mallow has spectacular results in dryness lacrimal resources. The juice relieves from insect bites and nettle sting.